Highway superintendent cites $38,000 repair estimate, shared‑services talks and OSHA advisory

Highway Superintendent Billy Sutphin delivered a detailed field report at the March 18 Milford Town Board meeting. Sutphin said he has determined the average road width in the Town is 17 feet, which would make the Town's responsibility 8.5 feet from the centerline and leave residents responsible for areas beyond that. He told the board that road-repair materials for Lichenberger Road were quoted at $38,000 (materials only) and that, "According to NYS Highway Law 320, loggers can be liable for three times the cost of damages to roads," prompting him to consult the town attorney about the amount to seek from the logging company.

Sutphin also reported that paperwork for a shared services agreement with the county and surrounding towns is in process and will require a Town resolution and copies of the Town's workers' compensation and liability insurance. He said he had obtained two quotes for a salt shed and had been told prices could increase up to 25% because of the Iran conflict, and that OSHA has advised the Town to delay purchases or improvements to the Town Barn until OSHA issues its final inspection report; the Town may be eligible for NYS funding because of the building's condition. He noted the Highway Department has been out 120 times this winter, estimating salt and labor costs for Village roads at about $7,000 plus an additional $2,000 in fall labor; street sweeping is scheduled to begin April 1 and pothole repairs have begun.